Asier Illarramendi has long been linked with a move to Liverpool(Getty)

Asier Illarramendi, subject of lengthy transfer interest from both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, has completed a medical at Real Sociedad ahead of an imminent return to David Moyes's team. Even though Real Madrid are yet to make an announcement on the move, the player himself has said he is "happy" to be back at San Sebastian.

Real Madrid secured the services of the 25-year-old midfielder in the 2013 transfer window as a long-term replacement for Xabi Alonso. Los Blancos paid £28.5m ($44.7m) to Real Sociedad for his signature after he had excelled in Spain's Under-21 Championship-winning side alongside the likes of Isco and Thiago Alcantara.

But having failed to make the impact expected at the Santiago Bernabeu, the La Liga giants have decided to send him back to Real Sociedad in a deal that, according to AS, is worth around £11.9m plus add-ons. The clubs have reached a loan deal for the current season with an obligatory buy-out clause for Real Sociedad to make the move permanent at the end of campaign.

Standard Sport claimed last week that both Tottenham and Liverpool were monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, Daily Mail reported earlier this week that Southampton were in the race for the Spaniard.

But the Premier League sides' hopes of nailing his services look all but over after the player underwent a medical ahead of completing his move back to the Anoeta Stadium.